But Zoo officials are unsure whether they can accommodate the veterans’ request to use the lot on what is traditionally a popular visiting day for families.

And that could mean a parking nightmare for parade marchers, Zoo visitors and homeowners in the West Brighton neighborhood on May 31, Memorial Day.

While the Zoo is still mulling what to do, parade organizers already have sent out an e-mail instructing members of the 18 groups that constitute the United Staten Island Veterans Organization (USIVO) to meet at the lot, saying, "[The] staging area will be at the Zoo parking lot at 11:15 for the 12 noon start."

As many as 3,000 veterans and others have marched in past Memorial Day Parades, organizers say, while the Zoo pulls upwards of 1,000 visitors on what is considered a peak day.

In the past, the Memorial Day Parade, like the St. Patrick’s Parade, stepped off from Forest Avenue at Hart Boulevard in West Brighton. Marchers made their way along Forest to the Forest Avenue Shoppers Town parking lot, at Forest and Decker avenues in Port Richmond, which is 2.4 miles away.

But the April 1 edict by Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly to cut all parade routes citywide by 25 percent — for an estimated savings of $3.1 million in overtime — necessitates the change, USIVO executive commander Jimmy Haynes said police told him.

Haynes, who runs the parade, said police brass here told him the new route has to start on Clove at Martling, with a left on Forest to the Shoppers Town parking lot. He said a permit has already been issued, and that cops told him they will close off a portion of Martling to cars.

Haynes said there "isn’t time" to devise an alternate route for the parade, which is seven weeks away.

But interim Zoo director Ken Mitchell said his board is still mulling whether it can permit veterans to congregate at the lot.

"We will certainly attempt to accommodate our veterans and parade participants, but will also need to balance the parking needs of our zoo patrons, many of whom travel by car," said Mitchell yesterday.

Haynes said the Zoo lot will provide a "safe venue" for marchers, including members of school bands and cheerleaders.

"We have to make it safe for the children," said Haynes.

Haynes conceded the bulk of parade viewers are between Hart and Clove, but said the numbers pick up again at Jewett Avenue. He said he contacted Forest Avenue merchants seeking suggestions on the route, but heard back only from one.

Haynes called the NYPD’s decision to shorten parade routes "wrong, because it takes away from culture and patriotism."

"It’s an honor to march," said Haynes, a Vietnam-era veteran from Bay Terrace. "This parade is a great tradition."

Haynes, who is also president of the Island’s Hibernians, said he doesn’t know what will become of the traditional route followed by the St. Patrick’s Parade, which means booming business for the numerous bars and eateries along Forest Avenue from Hart Boulevard to Clove Road.